Authorities ID body pulled from SUV in pond

Cause of crash under investigation

Authorities have identified the body that divers found when they pulled an SUV from a pond in Grimes Sunday morning.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Eddy Clark, 71, of Grimes, was found inside the SUV. Staff from the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office pronounced Clark dead at the scene.

Authorities said the cause of the incident is under investigation.

The pond is located next to Grimes Tire and Auto Center at 1150 E. First St.

Witnesses said the driver of a black Ford Explorer going west on Highway 44 appeared to lose control as the SUV left the roadway at about 5:10 a.m. The SUV crossed oncoming traffic, went through a parking lot and into the water, witnesses said.

Polk County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jana Abens said the distance was a few hundred yards.

Central Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue and the Metro Star dive team worked for five hours to remove the vehicle from the pond.

They had difficulty getting the SUV out of the water. The first tow truck sent to the scene didn't have enough power to pull the SUV out. The second, tougher tow truck didn't have enough cable.

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